Your decision is set in stone; you are going to sell your house. Your secondary decision is not as certain; will you sell privately, or will you use an estate agent?

There are advantages and disadvantages with either route. You have to look at your personal situation and the market you will operate in to make your decision. Your personal situation will involve your financial status.

The market you operate in may mean you will require the expertise of an estate agent. If you are unfamiliar with the nuances of your specific market then you will not understand what its buyers want and demand. That's why it's so important to make the right choice about whether to go it alone or acquire the services of an estate agent.

Benefits of Selling Your Home Yourself

* All the profit from the sale is yours. You do not have to pay commissions.

* You get to set your own price without influence or pressure from an estate agent. Of course, you must do the necessary research to come up with a marketable price. Still, you can go a little higher or lower than the market without having to justify your decision to someone else.

* You will devote all your time to selling your house. An estate agent devotes 'some' of his or her time to selling your house.

* You will set the viewing schedule to sell your home. You will not have to work around an estate agent's schedule. Remember, you are not their only client. With an agent, there will be compromise on a time when viewings can take place.

* You can obtain a free valuation of your home from estate agents, but still perform the selling function yourself. Therefore, you get an expert valuation but still control the actual sale all alone.

Benefits of Selling Your Home Using an Estate Agent

* They do the work. You do not have to make a huge time commitment to marketing, valuation, and viewings.

* Estate agents make the entire home selling process, if you use a true professional, stress-free. They guide you through the whole process; good ones keep you constantly informed as well.

* They use their experience and market knowledge to value your home wisely.

* They provide you with relevant information to help you sell your home faster. This is information they garnered while 'in the trenches' of the marketplace. They know what is selling and why it is selling. They can offer you recommendations for upgrading so your home can sell fast. They know what buyers are looking for.

* They have the resources to market your home to a wide audience. This speeds up the process so those looking to buy your home come to you faster.

* They know when an offer is a bad one and when you should pass it up. You may desire a quick sale and may take an offer to end the process so you can take the money and run. A smart estate agent will discourage you from doing so. You do not have this support from a professional when you go it alone.

Selling your property involves making a smart decision on whether to go solo or use an agent. When considering what to do, look at how long you can afford your home to be on the market. Do you require a quick sale? Do you have the resources to facilitate this? Will selling your home privately hinder the pace of the selling process?

Look at the time commitment involved in marketing your home to buyers. Time truly is money; you may be better off letting an agent handle the sale. You can spend your time making money while they work on selling your house. Look at the cost of advertising and marketing compared to the estate agent's fees. Look at carrying costs for your home if it sits on the market to long.

Alternatively, look at what you can do with the money you save in commission fees. That money may pay for a nice vacation. It may pay for that new home theatre package you desire. Whatever, it's something to consider before you make a final decision.

If you decide to sell your house privately, there are many free resources available to help you. In the end, careful consideration of all the advantages and disadvantages will arm you with the information you need to make the right decision for your situation.